The ICC World T20 2016 will begin with a qualifying round comprising eight teams, the top two of which will qualify for the main round. This qualifying round begins March 8 with Zimbabwe playing Hong Kong and will go on till March 13 when Bangladesh will play Oman. The eight teams in this round are Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Ireland, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Scotland, Oman, and Zimbabwe. These teams are separated into two groups called Group A and Group B. The teams in Group A are Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands, and Oman, while Group B has Afghanistan, Hong Kong, Scotland, and Zimbabwe.

The top team from Group A and B respectively will progress to the main round. Group 1 and Group 2 of the main round will have five teams each. England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and one of the qualifying teams will make up Group 1, while Group 2 has India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and the other qualifying team.

The main round will kick off from March 15, with India taking on New Zealand in the first game, and will end with the final match of the round on March 28, which will see South Africa battle it out against Sri Lanka. The first semi-final will be on March 30, while the second semi-final will be on March 31. The final will be played on April 3.

The ICC World T20 2016 is being hosted by India. Given that India is already a powerful T20I team, the added home advantage means that India are the overwhelming favourites to win the tournament.